Laundry Day

As the sun peeked over the horizon, we awoke to a pleasant chill in the air, prompting us to lace up our shoes and embark on a walk along the scenic Ebey Waterfront Trail.

It is a beautiful trail right along the water in Marysville with an interesting back story. The trail offers views of the Qwuloolt Estuary. 

Qwuloolt is a word from the Lushootseed language, meaning 

"marsh," "salt marsh," or "great marsh". It's used by the Tulalip Tribes and other Northwest tribes who speak part of the Salish language family.

For more than 100 years, the area had been cut off from the flows of salt and freshwater. In August of 2015, however, a levee was breached, allowing the area to return to a more natural habitat. Interpretive signs along the way tell the interesting story of the area. And even though the trail starts right in town, it features stellar views of the estuary, the Snohomish River and the Olympic and Cascade mountains.

Mama and baby mallards 

As we meandered past the water-treatment plant, an odd mix of fascination and an unwelcome whiff enveloped us. Fortunately, the scent didn't linger for long.

With eager anticipation, we scanned our surroundings, looking for glimpses of wildlife—river otters frolicking, blue herons gliding gracefully, and a chorus of other birds serenading the day.

Red Elderberry

Rose hips 

Musk mallow 

Hedge bindweed

Boat buried in the blackberry vines

The trail is wide and paved, making it great for either walking or biking. The trail passes under a bridge before continuing upstream.

Himalayan blackberry

From the poem:

In the Realm of the Red-Winged Blackbird 

Oh, how one should have witnessed the vibrant crimson beneath its wings, 

As it soared into the azure expanse, a fleeting whisper of grace, 

The moment it took flight, a flash of fiery elegance, 

A ballet of nature, painted against the canvas of the sky.

This couldn’t have been more fitting as I watched it take flight. Stunning!

Birds-foot trefoil

Blue heron

White clover

Broadleaf cattails 

Female catkins (cones) of the alder tree

Giant hogweed

Pea

Rose spirea

The trail continues on, with a number of convenient benches along the way, until it dead ends at a nice view of the estuary with a picnic area. Then we returned the way we came.

Many different animals call this special place home, including salmon, beaver, river otter and more than 350 different kinds of birds. 

Before levees were built along Ebey Slough, the area was a tidal marsh full of interconnected tidal channels, mudflats, and streams. 

Today, less than 20 percent of the Snohomish River's estuaries remain intact. The restoration of Qwuloolt Estuary is the second largest tidal marsh restoration project in the Pacific Northwest.

This morning, after our walk, I was fortunate enough to enjoy hearty steel cut oats paired with luscious, freshly picked strawberries from the neighbor’s garden. What a delightful contrast to yesterday!

After a leisurely late breakfast (due to that lovely walk), we dove into laundry duty before hitting the town. First stop: the Box Outlet! It was a treasure trove of goodies—everyone snagged something, thanks to those irresistible Costco brands and snazzy clothing. Next up was the grocery outlet, where we loaded up on snacks and all sorts of travel treats for our exciting San Juan Islands escapade tomorrow!

The rest of the day was all about packing our bags and whipping up a delicious dinner—a pre-trip feast!

Roasted veggies and chicken 

Rainier cherries we purchased on the long road to Cathie’s yesterday. 

I’m just going to end with this CS Lewis quote because it is so me 😁.
“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”

From Idaho back to Washington

This morning's culinary adventure took us back to AJ's for breakfast. I thought I'd indulge in a comforting bowl of oatmeal, but in hindsight, perhaps the mini breakfast would have been a wiser choice. Alas, I encountered a baffling phenomenon: stiff, crumbly oats! It’s safe to say that this peculiar sight is not one I wish to revisit. 

As the cheerful staff member inquired about adding fresh fruit, I enthusiastically replied, "Sure!" She presented the choice between peaches and strawberries, and I opted for the peaches. To my surprise, these weren’t the sun-kissed gems of summer but rather the canned variety. To top it off, I found myself forking over an extra dollar for those peaches and another buck for a sprinkle of nuts that danced atop my oatmeal. Quite the breakfast tale, wouldn’t you agree?

Connie had the bacon and cheese omelette with hash browns and English muffins. 

Cathie had the bacon and cheese omelette with potato pancakes and English muffin.

Geranium (different variety) 

Today offered a tranquil escape, driving through picturesque landscapes woven with rivers, mighty dams, fertile farmlands, and towering mountains. I’ll let the photos capture the moments that my words may fail to express.

Hang glider 

Miles and miles of orchards, many covered to protect from birds 

We stopped in the town of Leavenworth, a Bavarian-styled village in the Cascade Mountains, in central Washington State. Alpine-style buildings with restaurants serving German beer and food line Front Street. The Nutcracker Museum displays thousands of nutcrackers, some dating back centuries. On the Wenatchee River, Waterfront Park is a habitat for ospreys and eagles. The village is a gateway to nearby ski areas and wineries.

For lunch, the tantalizing aroma of bratwurst filled the air,

I savored Helga’s Giant Kielbasa, a hearty delight that promised satisfaction 

Connie indulged in Hans’ Jalapeño and Cheddar, a spicy kick wrapped in deliciousness

While Cathie opted for the playful Dirtyface Beer Wurst

Each sausage was nestled in a locally crafted Basket Bread bun—my own gluten-free bun standing apart—accompanied by an impressive selection of 14 mustards, crisp apple cider sauerkraut, zesty onions, and dill relish, creating a feast for the senses.

Munchen House Sausage and Beer Garden 

Naturally, the day beckoned for a sweet finale—an indulgence of ice cream. A tantalizing blend of blackberry sorbet, creamy vanilla bean, and delightfully nutty pistachio almond awaited, each spoonful a blissful escape..

Aplets & Cotlets are a type of fruit and nut confection, similar to Turkish Delight, made by Liberty Orchards in Cashmere, Washington. They are known for their soft, chewy texture and are made with apples (Aplets) or apricots (Cotlets) and walnuts, and coated in powdered sugar, and were created by two Armenian immigrants who owned an orchard in Cashmere, WA, founded in 1920. 

Upon our return to Cathie's home in Marysville around 7:30, she was greeted by the sight of her hydrangeas flourishing in vibrant bloom. 

The sun, while not fully descending, has nestled behind the trees, providing us with the closest semblance of a sunset we can hope for.

In the course of one week, we found ourselves traveling 1,586 miles. Today was particularly taxing in terms of time spent in the car. Yet, we have consistently sensed the Lord's presence, providing both protection and guidance throughout our journey. 

“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.”

Psalm 121:7-8

The Lord stands as a steadfast shield, a sentinel against the myriad perils and malevolence that life may cast our way. God is not merely an abstract guardian, but an intimate and abiding presence, vigilantly overseeing each facet of our existence.

This divine safeguard knows no bounds of time or circumstance; it resonates through the ages, signifying the perpetual and unwavering grace of the Almighty—an assurance of protection for "now and forevermore." Such imagery speaks to the everyday paths we traverse and the quests we undertake, a gentle reminder that we are enveloped in sacred care through all our endeavors.

What comfort and peace that provides.